Moving from principles to action for energy supply that mitigates
against climate change requires a long-term perspective. Energy
infrastructure takes time to build up; new energy technologies take
time to develop. Policy shifts often also need many years to take
effect. In most world regions the transformation from fossil to
renewable energies will require additional investment and higher
supply costs over about twenty years

future employment in the energy sector

The Energy [R]evolution scenario results in more energy sector jobs in Eastern Europe/Eurasia at every stage of the projection.

There are 2 million energy sector jobs in the Energy [R]evolution scenario in 2015, and 1.6 million in the Reference scenario.

In 2020, there are 2 million jobs in the Energy [R]evolution scenario, and 1.5 million in the Reference scenario.

In 2030, there are 1.6 million jobs in the Energy [R]evolution scenario and 1.4 million in the Reference scenario.

Figure 5.92 shows the change in job numbers under both scenarios for each technology between 2010 and 2030. Jobs in the Reference scenario reduce gradually over the period, leading to an overall decline of 17% by 2030.

Exceptionally strong growth in renewable energy leads to an increase of 16% in total energy sector jobs in the Energy [R]evolution scenario by 2015. Jobs continue to grow until 2020. By 2030, jobs fall below 2010 levels, but are 0.2 million more than in the Reference scenario. Renewable energy accounts for 64% of energy jobs by 2030, with biomass having the greatest share (24%).